Cats, especially for mint, can be perplexing creatures. As cat owners, do you ever notice how much mint-scented goods entice your cat? Mint plants smell like catnip, so cats love mint-scented goods or plants. Catnip is a perennial mint plant belonging to the Labiatae family. Cats love both herbs because they have many comparable characteristics.
Cats are attracted to mint plants from the fragrance, taste, feel of mint leaves, and much more. However, it can be among the top culinary herb choices you can use. It is also a popular herb to be grown in home gardens as mint has uses in folk medicine and for repelling insects.
In our guide, you can learn more about the association between mint plants and cats. By the end, you’ll know enough about can cats eat mint, are plants in the mint family safe for cats, and is there a common mint poisoning weakness in cats, and why mint candies can lead to mint poisoning, as can your kitchen mint plant. (Read Can Dogs Eat Mint)
Do Cats Like Normal Mint?
Both catnip and catmint are types of mint that are safe for cats. Garden mint may cause gastrointestinal upset and excessive vomiting if too much is eaten. Contact with mint in large quantities can also cause skin irritation in hypersensitive cats.
Catnip
Catmint, catswort, and catwort are just a few catnip names. Catnip is a type of mint plant that appeals to most cats. There are several causes for this. The plant’s enticing aroma and stimulating effects on cats are the primary reasons for its popularity.
The key component in catnip, nepetalactone, handles the pleasant scent and stimulating effects. Despite its benefits, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) considers catnip a potentially harmful plant for your cat.
Here, you can find a breakdown to help you recognize mint plants that can cause issues.
Peppermint
Peppermint does not have the same effect on cats as catnip. Peppermint has a pleasant mint scent, but some, but not all cats dislike it.
Peppermint oil contains chemicals known as salicylate, which are toxic to cats. It’s possible that unless your cat eats peppermint leaves, it won’t realize how dangerous peppermint oil (salicylate) is.
It’s worth noting, not all cats are afraid of this type of plant. Because peppermint contains molecules like nepetalactone, your cat may be lured to it. Just keep an eye out for your cat devouring the peppermint leaves. (Read How to Grow Mint Plants Indoors)
Spearmint
Garden mint, sometimes known as spearmint, is used in teas, hard candies, and spices. When compared to peppermint, it has less salicylate.
As a result, the toxic plants are not as bad as peppermint. However, any cat owner shouldn’t take this as it is okay to let cats eat spearmint. Too much garden mint may irritate your cat’s tummy. Essential oils from garden mint have also been found to relax the esophageal valve, increasing the risk of vomiting in your feline friend.
Is Mint Safe For Pets?
Mint-scented items are found thanks to this typical aromatic ingredient. However, it’s incredibly hazardous to your pets, as they are essential oils specific. Because plants contain essential oils that make the cat obsessed, and could lead to mint poisoning, you can substitute mint for catnip, so if your cat can’t get enough mint-flavored things, try catnip instead.
Catnip is safe for cats to eat, and they’ll be so focused on their favorite treat that they’ll forget about most mint plants. While most cats dislike the smell of this plant, other cats enjoy it. This is because of nepetalactone, a chemical like those found in catnip, a plant that attracts cats.
This plant, however, is not for every cat. Some cats will appreciate the aroma or flavor, while others will not. It all depends on how sensitive your cat is. In their pure form, the essential oils present in mint plants such as lamb mint and members of the mint genus are toxic to cats. Essential oils are highly concentrated versions of a flavor or aroma found in plants. This is what will make your cat sick if they eat too much mint.
Mint essential oils aren’t very harmful, but concentrated essential oils will make your cat sick. Cats prefer to eat mint leaves, which do not contain enough poison. Typically, sugars and corn syrups are bad for cats. Corn
If your cat is vomiting and you think it’s because of the mint patch in your yard, here are a few symptoms to watch for.
- Stomachache
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Take your cat to the veterinarian for supportive care if any of these symptoms last more than an hour after eating any plant from the Genus Mentha species or excessive mint exposure to avoid chances of liver damage. Because all the plants contain essential oils, mint plants, including their stems, blooms, and leaves, harm cats. (Read Is Anthurium Toxic to Cats)
Essential oils from garden mint have also been found to relax the esophageal valve, increasing the risk of vomiting in a sick indoor cat. Cats who already have gastrointestinal, intestinal, or liver problems are susceptible. Some species, like the pennyroyal, are more toxic to cats, and the poisonous plants have more serious side effects, including liver damage.
Apart from ingesting them, a cat reacts through skin sensitivities, making topical application of the essential oils of these herbs dangerous.
What To Do If My Cat Has Mint Poisoning?
If you think your cat has been poisoned by mint, take them to the clinic. They’ll start by monitoring your pet and determining the severity of the symptoms.
If your cat has a serious ailment, the vet may induce vomiting or pump their stomach. Your cat may need to be admitted to the hospital to stay hydrated. You should not be concerned, as your cat will be OK after the symptoms have passed.
Why is Mint Poisonous To Cats?
According to the ASPCA, the garden form of mint is not safe for your cat to eat. If cats consume considerable amounts of the essential oil in garden mint, it is hazardous to them. If your cat consumes a large amount of mint, they may react to the herb. If your cat eats mint, he or she is likely to have vomiting, diarrhea, or other gastrointestinal problems.
Why Are Cats Obsessed With Mint?
Because mint is commonly confused with catnip, another mint family herb, your cat is enamored with it. Cats adore the scents of catnip and mint and will often seek them out if they detect them in your home. Cats have a keen sense of smell; therefore, it isn’t difficult for them to locate it. Humans only have 5 million odor sensors, whereas cats have 200 million. Because of the aroma it emits, cats are drawn to mint. Mint can be used instead of catnip, so if your cat can’t get enough of mint-flavored foods, try catnip instead.
Catnip is safe for cats to eat, and they’ll be so focused on their favorite treat that they’ll forget about the mint. Mint has a pleasant odor that cats enjoy. It’s quite acceptable to have mint growing in your garden or fresh mint in your kitchen.
Cats are only poisoned by mint if they try to eat the leaves. If you see your cat can’t stay away from the mint and is always trying to eat it, you may need to take additional efforts to keep your cat safe by removing it from your home and garden.
Is Mint Poisonous?
Mint is harmful because it contains peppermint essential oil, which is poisonous to cats if swallowed. As a result, different herbs will have varied effects on other cats. For your cat to display symptoms of mint poisoning, he or she would need to consume a significant amount of mint leaves.
If you’re afraid, your cat ate too much mint, watch for stomach problems. While you don’t want your cat to eat mint, there’s no reason to be alarmed if he or she takes a small amount. There are considerably more toxic objects out there that your cat should avoid at all costs. (Read Is A Peace Lily Toxic To Cats)
Can Cats Eat Mint?
No, cats should not consume mint. The stem, blossom, and leaves of the mint leaf are all included in this. Peppermint essential oils, which are harmful to cats, are found in all mint plants. Instead of catnip, your cat can ingest catmint, another name for catnip.
Catmint is a harmless plant that cats enjoy and can take safely. Catmint is a narcotic that cats can chew on to change the cat’s behavior. It makes them feel good and gives them a buzz. It’s an excellent product used to keep your cat out of mischief and as a reward motivator.
Is Mint Gum Bad For My Cats?
Even if your kitty buddy enjoys mint and has bad breath, giving them cat mints, mint gum, or breath mints is not a good idea. Your cat may be interested in mint for cats because they like the smell of mint, but if they eat the gum, it’s hazardous, as are things that could contain corn syrup and sugars.
Mint candies containing xylitol or other artificial sweeteners. While these are safe for people to consume, any item containing that substance is unsuitable for cats. Xylitol can swiftly decrease your cat’s blood sugar to dangerously low levels, resulting in serious complications.
In cats, these symptoms include weakness, tremors, and vomiting. Keep your mint-flavored chewing gum out of reach of your cat by placing it somewhere they won’t get to it. If your cat has terrible breath, speak with their veterinarian because it could be a sign of dental damage.
If you enjoy hard candies or meals, keeping those items out of your cat’s reach is crucial. Candy bowls should be stored in the refrigerator or a cabinet out of reach of your cat. The cat’s sensitivity is so acute that they can smell mint from a mile away, and you don’t want them to eat it. Extreme sedation is one reaction that the aroma of mint can elicit. A cat may appear drowsy or confused. Because of this apparent change in activity level and behavior, many cat owners have referred to their feline as “stoned.”
Any cat owners who think, can cats eat spearmint avoid experimenting with any mint, as the risk of harm to the cat isn’t worth it. There can still be a risk of mint poisoning with exposure to members of the Genus Mentha family. These are noticeable from the square stems on the plant.
Remember that both garden mint and catnip are harmful to cats and can induce mint poisoning, according to the ASPCA. Catnip does not affect all cats in the same way. Consult your veterinarian for information on the risks of exposing your cat to catnip or any mint plants you could have.
